Blog of the International Journal of Constitutional Law

ECHR: Irish abortion law violates European Convention on Human Rights

The European Court of Human Rights has just handed down a decision in A, B, and C v. Ireland, in which it holds that Ireland’s strict ban on abortion violates Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (the right to respect for one’s privacy and family life). The case was decided by a 17-judge Grand Chamber instead of a typical 7-judge panel, further attesting to its sensitivity and importance. Six judges dissented from the court’s denial of relief to two of the three petitioners. The Irish member of the court did not dissent.

Coverage of the decision in Canada’s Globe and Mail is available here; the New York Times has coverage here. The judgment itself – which some had predicted – is available here.

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